When headlines and social media are dominated by negativity and instigating division for “likes” to grab your attention, it can be easy to miss the quiet, steady progress being made.

We know and accept that we are not where we need to be as a people. Too many are still struggling to survive despite an economy heading in the right direction. Despite this your Progressive Labour Party government is working steadily to improve the lives of everyone left behind.

Over the past few weeks, there have been significant steps forward in key areas that affect everyday lives:

• Increased funding for community support organisations providing critical services from transitional housing to trauma-informed care

• Increased funding for mental health support to Age Concern, Family Centre, Women’s Resource Centre, Men’s Access to Support and Counselling, Bermuda College Foundation/Youth Mental Health Plan

• Increased scholarship funding to enable 60 students to pursue higher education

• Increased funding for youth mentorship

• Invested $147,000 to partner with Home on addressing homelessness

• Completed upgrades to Shelly Bay Park and Sandy’s Dock

• Laid the foundation for Bermuda’s first medical tourism facility that would create new jobs and opportunities while expanding our tourism product

On housing:

• The Chelsea Property affordable housing project has launched that will add five new apartments

• We have entered Phase 3 of the 18 Battery Road project in St David’s that will deliver 12 new apartments

• The Harmony Terrace North Project will add 16 new apartments

• In Middle Town, Pembroke, construction is about to begin on four two-bedroom units

Yes, there is more work to do, but step by step, week by week, progress is being made.

That is why it is so important to stop and remind ourselves that progress is possible and that change is happening.

• Iesha Musson was a Progressive Labour Party candidate in Pembroke South West (Constituency 20) at the February 2025 General Election